Spokane Burn Injury Attorney

An Ounce of Prevention Can Protect Against Burns

Our skin is not just a covering, but a vital organ. Our skin regulates body temperature and hydration, protects us from disease, and allows us to move easily without pain. So when a severe burn destroys the skin’s elasticity, the sweat glands, the hair follicles, the nerves, and the blood vessels victims find they literally cannot use the affected area. Permanent damage to skin, tissues and nerves limits the effective range of limb movement in addition to causing serious new risks such as fatal infections or skin cancer.

Severe burns cause wounds that are more than just skin deep. Physical healing is just one part of burn care. Severe burn victims are often left with large unsightly scars that cannot always be hidden. Disfiguration of the body’s physical beauty can cause people or children to stare, ask invasive questions or make comments. And for some burn victims, especially younger children, burns can lead to permanent self-consciousness, social shyness, or emotional problems that affect normal everyday life. Victims often continue to encounter physical and psychological pain and disability, disfigurement, isolation or social rejection.

Burn injuries are one of the most painful injuries to sustain, and recovering from them can require extensive medical care, physical therapy, even plastic surgery or scar revision. Burn victims then face mounting medical bills, in addition to missed time from work and new caretaking needs. Dealing with all of this does not become any easier when the burn injury was caused by the recklessness of another person, company, or organization.

Accountability for Severe Burn Injuries

Burn injury statistics show that at least fifty percent of all burn injuries are preventable. An ounce of prevention can protect our families and our children (children are the primary victims) from burn injuries caused by scalding, heat, harsh chemicals, radiation, electricity, friction or during a car accident.

Most burns, whether they happen at home or at work, result from preventable accidents. These accidents can occur due to a person’s careless or negligent actions or as a result of defective or faulty products.

Some of the most common causes of burn injuries include:

• Defective home appliances, like water heaters and stoves
• Faulty electrical wiring
• Flammable clothing, home furnishing, etc.
• Defective vehicles/vehicle parts, leading to fires
• Exposed/open flames and chemicals
• Faulty smoke detectors, fire alarms, sprinkler systems, etc.
• Improper labeling of hot items

All too often, burn injuries are completely preventable. Whether a child was injured while playing with matches or a lighter or a worker was severely burned on the job due to faulty electrical systems, the results can be devastating.

There are 500,000 burn injuries that require medical attention in the U.S. every year, according to the American Burn Association. Up to 50,000 burn patients require hospitalization, and nearly half must be admitted to a specialized Burn Unit or Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to the National Institutes of Health.

There are 500,000 burn injuries that require medical attention in the U.S. every year, according to the American Burn Association. Up to 50,000 burn patients require hospitalization, and nearly half must be admitted to a specialized Burn Unit or Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to the National Institutes of Health.

Types of Burn Injuries

Thermal, electrical, chemical and radiation are distinct types of burn injuries.

Thermal - Thermal burns are the most common and result from contact with hot objects, steam or flames. Scalds are the most common for children, and adult thermal burns are most commonly caused by fire.

Electrical - An electrical burn results from contact with electricity, such as a live power line or lightning. Electrical currents can pass through the body and cause internal damage as well as external burns, and can be mild or severe.

Chemical - A chemical burn results from the skin touching an acidic or base chemical that destroys or damages the tissues. Chemical burns are painful and cause human tissue to itch, flake, burn or slough off, which can lead to permanent scarring and disability. For example, if someone suffers a chemical burn to the eyes, which permanently affects their sight. If the victim ingests a harmful chemical, it can cause significant internal damage.

Radiation - A radiation burn results from exposure to a source of radiation, such as the sun’s ultraviolet rays or an x-ray machine. Radiation burns can cause itchiness, flaking, peeling, redness and blistering.

Burn injury survivors can be disabled for life, or can be blinded for life, because of the accident. Contact us today at (509) 444-4444 to schedule a free consultation.